Electric switch



1 58 R. w. YOUNG 2,849,548

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 25, 1954 INVENTOR. Fig: 4 Ken/73th W Young His Afibmey ELECTRIC SWITCH Kenneth W. Young, Anderson, Ind., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application .lune 25, 1954, Serial No. 439,343

14 Claims. (Cl. 2tl06) This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to a switch wherein the parts are normally held in a neutral position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch wherein the various movable parts of a switch are normally held in a neutral open circuit position by a spring that is so disposed between a cover for the switch and an actuating handle that the spring acts as a pivot for the handle and resists its movement from the neutral position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a switch with spaced contacts, and a center contact which acts as a pivot for a movable contact plate that is adapted to selectively engage all of the contacts and a means to pivot the plate which includes a handle that embraces a central portion of the contact plate and is urged to a neutral position by a spring that is disposed between the switch housing and a portion of the handle so that it may act as a pivot for the handle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cruciform shaped housing of insulating material for a switch to carry four radially spaced stationary contacts and a central contact that is positioned intermediate said stationary contacts so that the central contact may act as a pivot for a movable contact plate of cruciform shape when the movable contact is pivoted into engagement with any one of the spaced contacts by an operating handle that embraces the central portion movable contact as the handle is moved from a neutral position against the force of a conically shaped spring that is seated on the housing and handle and acts as a pivotal support for the handle.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description reference being had in the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a plan view of a switch according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section along line 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view partly in section along line 33 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view along line 44 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an exploded view showing various parts of the switch in Figure l in perspective.

In the drawing the numeral 20 designates a switch which comprises an insulated base 22, preferably of a molded phenolic condensation product and filler that is preferably cruciform in shape to define a correspondingly cruciform shaped recess 24 wherein the various parts of the switch are included. The recess 24 is closed by a cruciform shaped cover 26, suitably secured to base 22, that has a cruciform shaped centrally located aperture 28 which is visible when the remainder of cover 26 is concealed if an ornamental bezel 30 is utilized.

' The recess 24 because of its cruciform shape defines atent O four radially extending recess portions at right angles to each other and a central recess portion which interconnects each of the radial portions. A stationary contact 32 is disposed in each of the four radial recess portions and a central contact 34 is located in the central recess portion so that it is intermediate the contacts 32. Thus a cruciform plate 36 when included in recess 24 and pivoted on central contact 34 may be moved to selectively engage any one of the stationary contacts 32.

An actuating handle 38, preferably formed of insulating material and most clearly seen in Figure 5, comprises an actuating end 40, which is manually movable, and an actuated end 42, that is received within the recess 24. End 42 has an extending flange or shoulder 44 wherefrom four projections 46 extend. Flange 44 and projections 46 are sized and shaped so the projections 46 will embrace the central portion of the cruciform contact plate 36 located between the intersecting arm portions thereof and the bottom surface of flange 44 will on gage the surface of the center of the contact plate 36.

A conically shaped spring 43, which surrounds the end 42 of the actuating handle 38, has one end seated on cover 26 and its other end resting or bearing on the top surface of shoulder or flange 44. This spring 48 not only acts as a pivot for handle 38 when it is moved relative to base 22 and cover 26, but it also serves to constantly maintain the end flange 44 and projections 46 in the embraced position relative to contact plate 36 so the contact plate 36 is constantly urged to a neutral position on contact 34 and out of engagement with stationary contacts 32. Thus when handle 33 is moved against the force of spring 48 contact 36 Will be pivoted on contact 34 to engage one of the stationary contacts 32 and cause the closing of a circuit between the central contact 34 and the particular stationary contact 32 in the arm of the recess 24 toward which the handle 38 is pivotally moved.

It is clearly apparent that the switch according to the present invention may be used to selectively control any one of four circuits if the central contact is connected to lead that is common to each of the four circuits. Thus if the central contact is connected with the source and the four radially located switches are properly connected with various pieces of electrical equipment, the switch may selectively control any of the circuits as desired as for example circuits to raise or lower and to move forward or backward the occupants seat in a vehicle.

While the embodiment'of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In an electric switch, a housing carrying at least two contacts in spaced relation, a plate pivoted on one of said contacts, a unitary actuating handle capable of pivotal movement relative to said housing having an end portion embracing said plate, and a coil spring having one end bearing against said housing and the other bearing on said handle for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position and said plate in engagement with said one contact, said handle being adapted to be moved against the force of said spring for rocking said plate on said pivot Contact into engagement with one of the other stationary contacts.

2. In an electric switch, a housing, spaced stationary contacts and a center contact intermediate said spaced contacts carried by said housing, a contact plate pivoted on said center contact, a unitary operating handle capable of pivotal movement on said housing having an end portion adapted to straddle a portal of said plate and a coil spring having one end resting on said housing and the other end resting on said handle for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position in engagement with each other whereby said handle when moved from said neutral position will cause said plate to be rocked on said center pivot and engage one of the stationary contacts.

3. In an electric switch, a housing, spaced stationary contacts and a center contact intermediate said spacedcontacts carried by said housing, a contact plate pivoted on said center contact, an operating handle capable of pivotal movement relative to said housing having an end portion adapted to embrace said plate and a conically shaped coil spring having its larger end resting on said housing and the smaller end resting on said handle for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position in engagement with each other whereby said handle when moved from said neutral position will cause said plate to be rocked on said center pivot and engage one of the stationary contacts.

4. In an electric switch, a housing carrying at least two contacts in spaced relation, a plate pivotedon one of said contacts adapted to engage the other of said contacts, a unitary actuating member pivotal relative to said housing having an end portion adapted to embrace said plate, and a conically shaped coil spring surrounding saidv handle having its larger end resting against said housing and the smaller end resting on said actuating member for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position in engagement with each other, said handle being adapted to be moved against the force of said spring for rocking said plate on the pivotcontact into engagement with another stationary contact.

5. In an electric switch, a housin carrying at least two stationary contacts in spaced relation, a plate pivoted on one of said contacts adapted to engage another of said contacts, a unitary actuating member in pivotal relation to said housing having an end portion arranged adapted to embrace a portion of said plate, a shoulder on said handle adjacent the embracing end thereof, a coil spring having one end resting on said shoulder and the other end resting on said housing for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position in engagement- With each other whereby said handle when moved from said position will cause said plate to rock on said pivot and engage said other contact.

6. In an electric switch, a housing carrying at least two stationary contacts in spaced relation, a plate pivoted on one of said contacts adapted to engage the other of said contacts, a unitary actuating member in pivotal relation to said housing having an end portion adapted to straddle a central portion of said plate, a shoulder on said handle adjacent the embracing end thereof, a conically shaped spring having its larger end reaching on said housing and the smaller endresting on said shoulder for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position and said plate on the pivot contact whereby said handle when moved from said position will cause said plate to rock on said pivot contact and engage said other contact.

7. In an electric switch, a housing carrying at least two stationary contacts in spaced relation, a plate pivoted on one of said contacts adapted to engage any one of the other of said contacts, a unitary actuating member in pivotal relation to said housing having an end portion adapted to embrace a portion of said plate, a shoulder on said handle adjacent the embracing end thereof, a conically shaped spring surrounding a portion of said handle and having its larger end resting on said housing and the smaller end resting on said shoulder for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position and said plate on said pivot contact whereby said handle when moved from said position will cause saidplate to rock on said pivot and engage said other contact.

8. In an electric switch, a housing, spaced stationary contacts and a center contact intermediate said spaced contacts all carried by said housing, a contact plate pivoted on said center contact and adapted to engage any one of said stationary contacts, a unitary operating handle capable of pivotal movement relative to said housing having an end portion adapted to embrace the portion of the plate juxtaposed to said center contact and a coil spring having its larger end resting on said housing and the smaller end resting on said handle for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position in arrangement with each other whereby said handle when moved from said neutral position will cause said plate to be rocked on said center pivot and engage one of the stationary contacts,

9. in an electric switch, a housing, spaced stationary contacts and a center contact intermediate said spaced contacts all carried by said housing, a Contact plate pivoted on said center contact and adapted to engage any one of said stationary Contacts, a unitary operating handle capable of pivotal movement relative to said housing having an end portion adapted to embrace the portion of said plate juxtaposed to said center contact and a conically shaped coil spring having its larger end resting on said housing and the smaller end resting on said handle for normally holding said handle and plate in a neutral position in engagement with each other whereby said handle when moved from said neutral position will cause said plate to be rocked on said center pivot and engage one of the stationary contacts.

10. In an electric switch, a cruciform shaped housing defining a cruciform shaped recess having a stationary contact disposed in each of the arms of said recess and a central stationary contact disposed in the central portion of said recess, a cruciform contact plate having its central portion pivoted on said central contact and its arms disposed in the arms of said cruciform recess and adapted to engage any one of the contacts therein, a unitary operating handle pivotal relative to said housing having an end portion embracing the central portion of said contact plate, and a spring having one end reacting against said housing and the other end bearing against said handle for normally holding said plate and handle in a neutral position and the central portion of the plate in engagement with the central contact whereby said handle when moved from said neutral position will selectively rock said plate on said center pivot into engagement with any one of said stationary contacts.

11. In an electric switch, a cruciform shaped housing defining a cruciform shaped recess having a stationary contact disposed on each of the arms of said recess and a central stationary contact disposed in the central portion of said recess, a cruciform contact plate having its central portion pivoted on said central contact and its arms disposed in the arms of said cruciform recess and adapted to engage any one of the contacts therein, a unitary handle capable of pivotal movement relative to said housing having an end portion embracing the central portion of said contact plate, and a conically shaped spring surrounding a portion of said handle and having its larger diameter end bearing against said housing and the smaller diameter end bearing against the end portion ofthe handle for normally holding said plate and handle in a neutral position in engagement with each other whereby said handle when moved from said neutral position will rock said plate on said center pivot into engagement with one of said stationary contacts.

12. In a electric switch, a housing having a cruciform shaped recess with a stationary contact disposed in each of the arms of the recess and a central contact disposed in the center of said recess, a cruciform shaped contact plate having its central portion pivoted on said central contact and its arms disposed in the arms of said cruciform recess and adapted to engage any one of the stationary contacts therein, an operating handle pivotal relative to said housing having an end portion formed with extending portions adapted to embrace the central portion of said cruciform plate and a shoulder adjacent the end portion of the handle, a spring disposed between said housing and said shoulder for normally maintaining said handle and plate in a neutral position in engagement with each other, said handle being adapted when moved from said neutral position for rocking said plate on its pivot and into engagement with one of said stationary contacts.

13. In an electric switch, a housing having a cruciform shaped recess with a stationary contact disposed in each of the arms of the recess and a central contact disposed in the center of said recess; a cruciform shaped contact plate having its central portion pivoted on said central contact and its arms disposed in the arms of said cruciform recess and adapted to engage any one of the stationary contacts therein, an operating handle pivotal relative to said housing having an end portion with extending portions adapted to embrace the central portion of said cruciform plate and a shoulder on said end portion, a conically shaped coil spring disposed between said housing and said shoulder for normally maintaining said handle in engagement with the plate and the plate in engagemcnt with the center contact, said handle being adapted when moved from said neutral position for rocking said plate on its pivot and into engagement with one of said stationary contacts.

14. In an electric switch, a housing having a cruciform shaped recess with a stationary contact disposed in each of the arms of the recess and a central contact disposed in the center of said recess, a cover for said housing for closing said recesses, said cover having an aperture therein in alignment with the center of said recess when said cover is in position 'on said housing; a cruciform shaped contact plate in said recess having its central portion pivoted on said central contact and its arms disposed in the arms of said cruciform recess and adapted to engage any one of the stationary contacts therein; an operating handle capable of pivotal movement relative to said housing and extending through the aperture in said cover having an end portion in said recess formed with extending portions adapted to embrace the central portion of said cruciform plate and a shoulder within said recess on said end portion, a spring disposed between said housing cover and said shoulder for norm-ally maintaining said handle and plate in a neutral position in engagement with each other and the plate in engagement with the center contact, said handle being adapted when moved from said neutral position for rocking said plate on its pivot and into engagement with any one of said stationary contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Parsons May 21, 1957 

